Can you believe I have been full-time blogging for a whole entire year!?!?!?!
Well, maybe you can, but I have a hard time believing it. A year ago in a pretty spontaneous decisionĀ I quit my jobĀ as the Art Director for an art publishing company (much fancier sounding than it was), and decided to take It Doesn't Taste Like ChickenĀ from a hobby to my career. Can you say follow your dreams!
I was overwhelmed by the support and encouragement I had from all of you as I took this leap of faith. Well, faith, a LOT of hard work, manyĀ hiccups, a little luck, a lot ofĀ side jobs, and here I am today. I'm actually doing it friends and it kind of shocks and amazes me.
Over this year I have manage to turn my passion into a realĀ grown up person business, and I couldn't be prouder! (For real, if you ever meet me in person, I will endlessly talk about my blog and veganism, I apologize in advance).
So many things happened over this last year of blogging that I actually feel like a entirely new, happier, sparklier version of my former self.
Highlights FromĀ the Last Year:
I Got a Cookbook Deal.
I swear this could have been the only news I received all year and I would still be thrilled! I'm still bouncing off the walls excited about it. If you haven't heard the story about how I landed a cookbook deal withĀ Appetite by Random House, check it outĀ here.
I have been up to myĀ elbowsĀ tastebuds in recipe testing and it's going to be SOOO good. I can't wait to share all of these recipes with you. ...Actually I can because I need to finish writing them! I would say I am a solid 50% done writing the book at this point. Stay tuned because I am definitely going to be asking you guys for feedback once I have more thoughts collected.
Here are some sneak peeks of the recipes to comeĀ Ā āāā
I became closer with my friends... and then they became vegan!
I am so muchĀ happier now that I have been in years, and that is in large part because I got a lot closer with my super amazing fantastic friends. Friends are awesome, amIright!?
Not only did I form better, stronger, awesomer, friendships, but hot dang they went vegan too! Before that I didn't have any friends that were vegan (except for all you lovely internet friends).
Ok so not ALL of my friends are vegan, but 60% of them in this picture are! This photo was taken at our bookclub, (more fun things we started in the year). If you are wondering about the one dude, that's my cousin who is vegan, and he just came for the food. Ha!
This was a huge change for me, because not only did I have people that I felt truly understood me, but I now feel so much more confident in being vegan. You might be surprised that someone whoĀ started a blog on the topic, wasn't always that confident.
Having friends who share your beliefs really helps make you stronger and more confident in who you are. I really couldn't ask for more.
I Invented BDVG (Bad Date Vegan Game).
This year I have been rockin' the single life (and loving it P.S.)
As a blogger, I don't really meet a lot of people in my day to day life... well, people that are actually in the same room as me anyways. So, I have been hanging out in the bizarre world ofĀ Tinder.
If any of you have been on Tinder, or any other online dating app, or even a blind date, you know that each and every date is a total gamble. They may seem good on paper, but once you meet them, even if they are nice, it's pretty easy to tell if there is any chemistry within the first few minutes.
Now obviously you don't want to be rude so you stay for a drink and make awkward chit chat.
So what's this BDVG.Ā The rules are simple:Ā the moment I realize that there is no chemistry for me, I switch my goals over from flirting, toĀ inspiringĀ them to go vegan.Ā Now even bad dates are fun!
I can't know for sure (because I am certainly not going to contact these dudes), but I'm pretty sure I convinced at LEAST one person to go veg! Veganizing the worldĀ one cute dude at a time, muhahahahaha!
I Started a YouTube Channel &Ā WonĀ a Contest!
I finally made the switch from still life to motion picture.Ā Ooooh fancy! So make sure toĀ subscribe to my YouTube channelĀ so you don't miss out on all the fun.
I think YouTube is going to be the perfect platform to show you howĀ I make delicious recipes, and show you some more fun things, like my latest video where I show you what I eat in a day:
I WON!!!!!!
I'm so super excited to say that I will going toĀ Ā to Prince Edward Island (any readers from out there?) with 4 other winners to film a cooking video withĀ Chef Michael Smith. Gah! So much fun.
Thank you so, so much to all of you who watched this video, shared it, liked it, and left a comment. If you haven't seen my first video, you can watch my audition for the #LoveLentilsĀ competition here.
And So Much More!
- I have been loving getting into shapeĀ by lifting heavy things. I actually just cleaned out my closet because most of my clothes are too big for me now. Feeling fit!
- I got an awesome roommate (the pretty chick beside me in the group photo above). Yes, she is vegan. š
- I started getting recognized as an influential blogger and got invited to fun partiesĀ āāā
- I finallyĀ joined the world ofĀ Snapchat, and now I love it! Username: bonappetegan
- and many more little tidbits that make each and every day an adventure.
I'm so very happy that I decided to quit my job that day, and as much as it has been a fight and a struggle, it was definitely the right decision for me. I can't wait to see what comes in this next year of full-time blogging!
Bon Appetegan,
Sam.
Valerie says
Hi Sam, just saw this post. I started following you I think mid way into your journey. I began vegan March 8, 2015 and during my research for recipes, etc I found this young girl with a cute photo and blog name and became hooked. I'm much older than you, I don't know you, we've never met but when you posted about your book deal I was like " awe, that's so awesome. I'm so proud of her" and I hope your family is proud of you too! Way to follow your heart and quit on what wasn't making you happy or inspiring you every day! That takes guts and I'm sure you were scared but you have to be scared sometimes to find your true path of happiness! Thanks for sharing your recipes and inspiring me to try new things as I continue on this vegan journey late in life!
Sam Turnbull says
Hi Valerie!
Awww shucks what a lovely comment! I'm so happy you're following along and enjoying what I'm doing. Yes it was totally scary quitting my job, and a real struggle for many months, then my ex and I broke up which made everything even more difficult of course. (A very good thing in the long run). I'm actually a little stunned to be where I am today- surviving and working on my first cookbook!! I work over 10 hours every day and usually work weekends as well, but I am following my dream, so it's all good. (It helps that I get to do most of it in my pyjamas too, haha). Congrats on your vegan journey! As they say, it's never too late! Also you look very young in your picture, so you are doing something right! Haha š
Srivani says
Finally got to reading this post. What an incredible and wonderful year for you, Sam. I'm excited to say I've been there with you the entire year... I remember when you posted about quitting your day job to blog full time. It's probably a good think we aren't in the same city, you might think me a stalker, but I assure you I'm not; just a vegan mom (raising a vegan toddler with my vegan hubby) with very little cooking creativity of my own who absolutely LOVES your blog and the recipes you post. They are super do-able for me and usually simple (that's good). You're passion and enthusiasm is so evident in your writing that not only do I enjoy your recipes, but I enjoy reading all the commentary too. (I usually just jump to the recipes within other vegan recipe blogs I frequent). I'm super excited for what this next year holds for you. Thanks for being one of my go-to gals for vegan yumminess.
Sam says
Aww thanks Srivani!! Do-able recipes is exactly what I am aiming for, so I am so happy that they are exactly what you are into. š It's been a really exciting year, and it seems like it's just going to get more fun. Thank you so much for sharing in all my adventures!
Emilie @ Emilie Eats says
Your blogging journey is such an inspiration!!! #goals I would love to get to where you are. Your blog was one of the first fully-vegan ones I started reading (before I was vegan) and it's been so fun to follow along. I know you'll do awesome things!! Loving the Youtube vids, btw.
Also that dating game is genius *crying laughing emoji*
Sam says
Haha aww thanks Emilie š I'm so flattered. Thanks so much for the support, it's always so fun to see you around the blog. If you're ever in Toronto, we should have some vegan treats one time š
Kim says
I remember last year when you made that decision and it's so awesome to see how well it turned out! I recently made the decision to try to pursue freelance photography as my main career and am so excited for what's to come š
http://www.lostindreamland8.blogspot.com
Sam says
That's awesome Kim, congratulations!! It's always a risk making big changes in life, but in my opinion, if you aren't following your dreams, then what are you doing? Haha. Congrats on your freelance photography career. I hope it goes wonderfully for you!
Helene says
So nice to hear that you're enjoying yourself.
You've helped me a lot in my transition, since your blog was my first (useful and non shaming) read as I looked for help to become vegan.
It wasn't easy in a country where about only 2% of the population is vegetarian... Don't even talk about being vegan!
But you're always so cheerful, and tolerant towards people trying to veganise their life, it helped me a lot.
I'm glad I found you, you're very inspiring, let me tell ya!
I hope the next year will be as good as this one, full of new exciting things!
Keep up the good work!
Sam says
Thank you so very much Helene!! I am so flattered, and so very happy that I have been able to help you in your vegan journey! I'm glad you found me as well. Thank you so much for the lovely comment, it totally made my day. Let me know if you ever have any questions or need any support š
diana @ veggienextdoor says
Love love love your idea for the bad date vegan game. If I were single I would definitely borrow that idea!
Sam says
Haha thank you Diana!! It makes it pretty fun, trying to figure out which angle to come from and working my magic to make it sound intriguing and not preachy! haha. Good practise.